Combination snow blower and plow

ABSTRACT

A combination snow blower and plow apparatus provides at least two operating configurations including a standard-width snow blowing configuration, and a snow plowing configuration. The apparatus includes a snow plow assembly coupled to a snow blower mechanism, the plow assembly being movable between a lowered deployed position for engaging snow, and a raised undeployed position for disengaging the plow assembly from the snow. In the plowing configuration, snow plow blades may be laterally extended to increase the width of a path cleared by the apparatus. Optionally, in the increased-width configuration, the apparatus may provide a pure plowing function, or may provide a combined plowing and snow-blowing function. The movable blades may be supported in their laterally-extended positions by struts, which support the blades as they are moved through an accumulation of snow or debris. Optionally, the snow plow assemblies may be configured as a kit for retrofitting existing snow blowers.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to snow-moving equipment and, more particularly, to powered snow blowers or throwers, and snow plows:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Two primary types of powered snow-moving equipment include (i) snow blowers or throwers that receive snow through an inlet and use a powered auger or rotary paddle to discharge the snow a distance away from the snow blower, and (ii) snow plows that use one or more blades to push the snow from one area to another, generally without lifting the snow from the ground or other surface being cleared.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides, in its various forms, a combination snow blower and snow plow apparatus that can be readily converted between a pure snow blowing configuration, and/or a pure snow plowing configuration, and/or a hybrid snow blowing and plowing configuration. This allows an operator to select an optimal configuration for a given situation, such as variations in the snow depth and/or density, the size or shape of an area to be cleared of snow, or the presence of obstructions. The combination snow blower and plow apparatus includes a substantially conventional snow blower mechanism, but also includes a snow plow assembly that can be moved between a deployed (snow plowing) position, and an undeployed (snow blowing) position relative to the snow blower mechanism. In the deployed position, the snow plow assembly can be adjusted by moving one or more snow plow blades between a relatively narrow-width plowing configuration and a relatively wider-width plowing configuration, which can be adjusted according to the desired width of a path being cleared of snow. Optionally, and at least when snow plow blades of the snow plow assembly are in laterally-extended positions, at least some snow may be permitted to pass the snow plow assembly and into the snow blower mechanism to be forcibly discharged away from the mechanism. Thus, the combination snow blower and plow apparatus is configurable to clear a path that is substantially the same width (or substantially wider than) the snow blower mechanism itself, either by pushing the snow as a plow, or by directing the snow through the snow blower mechanism, or a combination of both.

In one form of the present invention, a combination snow blower and plow apparatus includes a snow blower mechanism with a housing having opposite sides defining a snow inlet portion and a snow discharge portion in communication with the snow inlet portion. The apparatus further includes a snow plow assembly having a mounting portion and at least one snow plow blade that is movably coupled to the mounting portion. The snow plow assembly itself is movably coupled to the housing of the snow blower mechanism, so that the snow plow assembly is movable between a deployed position and an undeployed position. The mounting portion of the snow plow assembly is movably coupled to the housing, and the snow plow blade is configured to move, relative to the mounting portion, between a laterally-extended position and a laterally-retracted position. In the extended position, the snow plow blade provides an increased snow-clearing width, while in the retracted position, the snow plow blade provides a decreased snow-clearing width, which is less than the increased snow clearing width of the extended position. When the snow plow assembly is in its deployed position, the snow plow blade is positioned in front of the housing of the snow blower mechanism in order to engage an accumulation of snow when the apparatus is driven along a surface. When the snow plow assembly is in the undeployed position, at least a portion of the snow plow blade is positioned above the housing, so that the snow plow blade will not engage the accumulation of snow as the apparatus is driven along the surface.

In one aspect, the snow plow assembly further includes a mounting arm that is pivotally coupled to each of the opposite sides of the housing, The mounting portion of the snow plow assembly is coupled to the housing via the mounting arms.

Optionally, when the snow plow assembly is in the undeployed position, at least a portion of the mounting portion and at least a portion of the snow plow blade are positioned directly above the housing.

In another aspect, the snow plow assembly includes a support stmt that is coupled between the housing and the snow plow blade for supporting the blade in at least its laterally-extended position. Optionally, each of the support struts is an adjustable-length strut that is reconfigurable between an extended configuration when the corresponding snow plow blade is in the laterally-extended position, and a retracted configuration when the snow plow blade is in the laterally-retracted position.

In still another aspect, the mounting portion of the snow plow assembly includes a central blade configured for clearing an accumulation of snow from the surface. Optionally, the snow plow assembly includes a pair of the snow plow blades, each of which is movably coupled to the central blade. Optionally, the snow plow assembly further includes a pair of elongate slots defined along the central blade, which allow the snow plow blades to be movably mounted to the central blade, and an attachment fitting is provided along an inboard region of each snow plow blade. Each of the attachment fittings slidably engages a respective one of the elongate slots of the central blade as the snow plow blades are moved between the laterally-extended position and the laterally-retracted position.

Optionally, each of the attachment fittings includes a shaft portion and a flange portion, the shaft portion projecting rearwardly from the snow plow blade and extending through one of the elongate slots. The flange portion is positioned along the shaft portion at a location rearward of the central blade, and the flange portion has a width that is greater than a width of the elongate slot.

In a further aspect, the mounting portion of the snow plow assembly includes a frame configured for slidably supporting the snow plow blade. The frame defines an opening when the snow plow blade is in the laterally-extended position, with the opening configured to permit at least a portion of the accumulation of snow to pass into the snow inlet portion of the snow blower mechanism so that the snow is discharged through the snow discharge portion as the apparatus is moved along the surface. Optionally, the snow plow assembly includes a pair of the snow plow blades that are movably coupled to the frame. Optionally, the frame defines upper and lower channels for slidably receiving an upper edge portion and lower edge portion, respectively, of each of the snow plow blades.

In another form of the present invention, a combination snow blower and plow apparatus includes a snow blower mechanism and a snow plow assembly that is movably coupled to the snow blower. The snow blower mechanism includes a housing with opposite sides and defining a snow inlet portion between the opposite sides, and a snow discharge portion in communication with the snow inlet portion. The snow plow assembly is pivotable between a deployed position in front of the snow blower mechanism, and an undeployed position in which a portion of the snow plow assembly is positioned above the housing of the snow blower. mechanism. The snow plow assembly includes a pair of mounting arms, a mounting portion, and a pair of extendable and retractable snow plow blades. Each of the mounting arms has a proximal end portion that is pivotally coupled to one of the opposite sides of the housing, and the mounting portion is coupled to the housing via the mounting arms. The snow plow blades are slidably coupled to the mounting portion, and each is movable to a laterally-extended position that provides an increased snow-clearing width in which each of the snow plow blades extends laterally outboard of a respective one of the opposite sides of the snow blower housing. When the snow plow assembly is in the undeployed position, the snow blower mechanism is operable to clear an accumulation of snow from a surface as the apparatus is driven along the surface, and when the snow plow assembly is in the deployed position with the snow plow blades in their laterally-extended positions, the apparatus is operable to provide the increased snow-clearing width in an increased clearing-width configuration. The increased clearing-width configuration may be either of (i) a pure plowing configuration in which the mounting portion and the snow plow blades cooperate to clear the accumulation of snow, substantially without the snow reaching the inlet portion of the snow blower housing, and (ii) a combined snow plowing and snow blowing configuration in which the snow plow blades engage a portion of the accumulation of snow and the mounting portion permits another portion of the accumulation of snow to pass into the snow inlet portion of the snow blower housing.

In one aspect, when the snow plow assembly is in the deployed position with the snow plow blades each in a laterally-retracted position, the apparatus can be operated in a pure plowing configuration to provide a decreased snow-clearing width that is less than the increased snow-clearing width.

Optionally, a mounting arm stop is provided at each of the opposite sides of the snow blower housing, and is engaged by a respective mounting arm when the snow blower mechanism is lifted above the surface, whereby the snow plow assembly is also liftable above the surface upon lifting the snow blower mechanism further above the surface once the mounting arm stops are engaged by the mounting arms.

In another aspect, the combination snow blower and plow apparatus is in combination with a tractor that is configured to drive the apparatus through the accumulation of snow, and configured to power the snow blower mechanism for discharging snow through the snow discharge portion, For example, the tractor may be a separate riding tractor such as a farm tractor or a lawn tractor, or the tractor may be a walk-behind tractor or substantially any powered device that is capable of operating the snow blower mechanism, and may be integrated with the snow blower mechanism.

Accordingly, the combination snow blower and plow apparatus of the present invention provides an operator with the option of (i) using the snow blower in a conventional manner, i,e., with the snow plow assembly in its undeployed position, and (ii) using the apparatus in a plowing configuration in which the snow plow assembly is in the deployed position to form substantially continuous snow-pushing surface that limits or blocks snow from entering the snow blower intake, or a partially-discontinuous snow-pushing surface that permits at least a portion of snow to enter the snow blower intake for discharging through the snow discharge portion of the snow blower mechanism. When the snow plow assembly is in the deployed position, the snow plow blade or blades can be laterally extended and retracted according to the desired clearing width of the apparatus. This allows the operator to choose between a narrow-width clearing path, such as when clearing a particularly heavy accumulation of snow or when clearing a relatively narrow walkway or working in other narrow spaces, and permits a wider-width clearing path such as when clearing large or wide open areas and/or lower-density accumulations of snow.

These and other objects, advantages, purposes, and features of the present invention will become more apparent upon review of the following specification in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a combination snow blower and plow apparatus in accordance with the present invention, with the snow plow assembly in the deployed position and the snow plow blades in their laterally-extended positions;

FIG. 2 is another front perspective view of the combination snow blower and plow apparatus of FIG. 1, with the snow plow assembly in its undeployed position and the snow plow blades in their respective laterally-retracted positions;

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the combination snow blower and plow apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the region designated IV in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5A is another perspective view of the combination snow blower and plow apparatus of FIG. 1, taken from the rear and to the side;

FIG. 5B is another perspective view of the combination snow blower and plow apparatus of FIG, 5A, shown with the snow plow blade in a laterally-retracted position;

FIG. 6A is a front elevation of the combination snow blower and plow apparatus of

FIG. 1, shown with the snow plow blades in their laterally-extended positions;

FIG. 6B is another front elevation of the combination snow blower and plow apparatus of

FIG, 6A, shown with the snow plow assembly in its undeployed position but having the snow plow blades in their laterally-retracted positions;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the combination snow blower and plow apparatus, shown attached to a self-propelled tractor;

FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of another combination snow blower and plow apparatus in accordance with the present invention, with the snow plow assembly shown in the deployed position, and the snow plow blades shown in respective laterally-extended positions;

FIG. 9A is another front perspective view of the combination snow blower and plow apparatus of FIG. 8, shown with the snow plow assembly deployed and the snow plow blades in their respective laterally-retracted positions; and

FIG. 9B is another front perspective view of the combination snow blower and plow apparatus of FIG. 8, shown with the snow plow assembly in the undeployed position and the snow plow blades in their respective laterally-retracted positions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings and the illustrative embodiments depicted therein, a combination snow blower and plow apparatus 10 includes a snow blower mechanism 12 having a housing 14, to which a snow plow assembly 16 is attached (FIGS. 1-3). Snow blower mechanism 12 includes a front intake or inlet portion 18 for receiving snow, and a discharge portion 20 for ejecting or discharging snow as the snow blower mechanism 12 is pushed forward through an accumulation of snow. Snow plow assembly 16 includes a pair of snow plow blades 22 that are independently movably coupled to a central mounting portion or blade 24. Central blade 24 is attached to a pair of mounting arms 26 that are pivotably coupled to respective side walls 28 of snow blower housing 14 (FIG. 1).

Snow plow assembly 16 is pivotable about a substantially horizontal pivot axis between a lowered or deployed position (FIGS. 1, 3, 5A-6A, and 7) and a raised or undeployed position (FIGS, 2 and 6B). In its deployed position, snow plow assembly 16 is lowered so as to engage an accumulation of snow on a surface (such as a driveway, parking lot, roadway, ice rink, or the like) as apparatus 10 is driven along the surface. When snow plow assembly 16 is in the undeployed position, it is positioned substantially above housing 14 so that snow plow assembly 16 will not engage the accumulation of snow as the apparatus 10 is driven along the surface being cleared. This permits an operator to use the combination snow blower and plow apparatus 10 in a conventional snow blowing configuration, such as shown in FIGS. 2 and 6B, and to use the apparatus 10 in a plurality of different plowing configurations (FIGS. 1, 3, 5A-6A, and 7), such as will be described in more detail below.

In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1-7, each mounting arm 26 includes a proximal end portion 26 a that is pivotably coupled to a respective side wall 28 of housing 14, at the same location where the opposite ends of an intake auger 30 are rotatably supported at the side walls 28 of the snow blower housing 14. Thus, snow blower assembly 16 is pivotable about a substantially horizontal pivot axis, which extends along the rotational axis of auger 30, between its deployed and undeployed positions. However, it will be appreciated that the mounting arms 26 may be coupled substantially anywhere along snow blower housing sidewalls 28, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Mounting arms 26 are coupled together by central blade 24, which is attached at respective distal end portions 26 b of the mounting arms 26. Central blade 24 includes a plurality of substantially horizontal elongate slots 32 that permit the respective snow plow blades 22 to be mounted and supported along the central blade 24. The length and position of each slot 32 determines the travel limits of each snow plow blade 22 by preventing each blade from being laterally retracted so far that it would cover more than half of central blade 24, and by preventing each blade from being laterally extended so far that it would not be sufficiently supported at its inboard region 22 a by central blade 24.

As best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, each snow plow blade 22 includes an inboard region 22 a and an outboard region 22 b, with inboard regions 22 a each including a pair of attachment fittings 34 that are disposed along respective elongate slots 32 in central blade 24. Each attachment fitting 34 includes a shaft portion 36 (FIG. 4) that extends rearwardly from a rear surface 38 of snow blow blade 22 and extends through a respective elongate slot 32 of central blade 24. Each attachment fitting 34 further includes a flange portion 40 that has a larger diameter than the width of its corresponding elongate slot 32, with flange portion 40 spaced rearwardly from rear surface 38 of snow plow blades 22 so that flange portion 40 is also positioned rearward of a rear surface 42 of central blade 24. In the illustrated embodiment, shaft portions 36 of attachment fittings 34 pass forwardly through their respective snow plow blade 22 and are fastened in place by mechanical fasteners 44 disposed along a front surface 46 of snow plow blade 22, such as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 6A. Optionally, shaft portion 36 may be formed as a threaded bolt, such as a shoulder bolt, with a head portion disposed along front surface 46 of snow plow blade 22, and an opposite or rear end portion of the bolt receiving flange portion 40 (which may be a threaded nut and washer, for example) near the rear surface 42 of central blade 24.

Attachment fittings 34 permit each snow plow blade 22 to slide along a front surface 48 of central blade 24 as attachment fittings 34 slide along their respective elongate slots 32, so that the snow plow blades 22 are independently movable between a laterally-extended position (FIGS. 1, 3-5A, 6A, and 7) and a laterally-retracted position (FIGS. 2, 5B, and 6B). Thus, it will be appreciated that either snow plow blade 22 may be laterally extended or retracted, independent of the other blade, such as for clearing a widened path along one side of the apparatus when only a single blade is extended. In the laterally-extended position, the inboard regions 22 a of snow plow blades 22 are positioned substantially directly in front of the respective mounting arms 26 and housing side walls 28. In the laterally-retracted position, the inboard regions 22 a of snow plow blades 22 are positioned centrally, in close proximity to one another, and the outboard regions 22 b are positioned generally in front of the distal end portions 26 b of respective mounting arms 26. Thus, with snow plow blades 22 in their laterally-extended positions, the overall width of snow plow assembly 16 is substantially greater than the width of snow blower mechanism 12, and when snow plow blades 22 are in their laterally-retracted positions, the overall width of snow plow assembly 16 is substantially similar to, or slightly greater than, the overall width of snow blower housing 14. However, it will be appreciated that the lateral dimensions of central mounting portion 24 and of snow plow blades 22 may be adjusted or changed according to the desired overall width of the snow plow assembly 16 with snow plow blades 22 in their laterally-extended and/or laterally-retracted positions.

To help ensure sufficient strength and support for snow plow blades 22 in their extended positions, respective adjustable-length support struts 50 extend from distal end portions 26 b of mounting arms 26 to outboard regions 22 b of snow plow blades 22. In the illustrated embodiment, support struts 50 are telescopic struts having rear shaft portions 50 a and forward tubular portions 50 b, and each includes a lock pin 52 for selectively fixing the overall length of each support strut 50 by limiting the extent to which rear shaft portion 50 a can telescope into forward tubular portion 50 b. Rear shaft portion 50 a includes one or more cross-bores for receiving lock pin 52 when the corresponding snow plow blade 22 is in one or more laterally-extended positions, such as shown in FIG. 3. When lock pin 52 is positioned through one of the cross-bores the minimum overall length of the support strut 50 is fixed, and the support strut 50 will support its respective snow plow blade 22 against rearward forces applied to front surface 46 of snow plow blade 22, such as when the. apparatus 10 is moved forwardly through an accumulation of snow,

Forward tubular portion 50 b of support strut 50 is pivotably coupled to a tab 54, which extends rearwardly from rear surface 38 at outboard region 22 b of snow plow blades 22, such as via a bolt or other mechanical fastener 56 (FIGS. 1-3). Rear shaft portion 50 a of support strut 50 includes a bend region 58 that extends through an opening 60 in a perimeter wall 62 of mounting arm 26 at proximal end portion 26 a (FIG. 2). Thus, each end of support strut 50 can pivot relative to the mounting arm 26 and/or snow plow blade 22 as the snow plow blade is moved laterally between its extended and retracted positions (with lock pin 52 removed to permit telescoping of the rear shaft portion 50 a relative to the forward tubular portion 50 b of support strut 50).

A mounting arm stop 64 projects laterally outwardly from each side wall 28 of snow blower housing 14, and substantially limits or prevents a respective mounting arm 26 of snow plow assembly 16 from pivoting downwardly as snow blower mechanism 12 is lifted from the surface being cleared of snow (or other support surface). In this way, when snow blower mechanism 12 is raised above the surface, such as to avoid engaging snow (or a raised object or irregularity along the surface being cleared), the snow plow assembly 16 will be raised with snow blower mechanism 12 so that snow plow blades 22 and central mounting portion or blade 24 will also disengage the snow or the surface being cleared of snow. Each mounting arm stop 64 is coupled to its respective side wall 28 at a position that permits snow plow blades 22 and central mounting blade 24 to rest on the ground surface when snow blower mechanism 12 is also resting on the ground surface, so that most of the weight of snow plow assembly 16 is supported along the bottom edges of snow plow blades 22 and central blade 24. Mounting arm stops 64 may be spaced at least slightly below a perimeter wall 62 of mounting arm 26, so that snow plow blades 22 and central blade 24 will remain in contact with the ground surface even if snow blower mechanism 12 is raised slightly above the surface, or if irregularities in the ground surface allow or cause the snow plow blades 22 and central blade 24 to momentarily drop downwardly relative to snow blower mechanism 12. This allows snow plow assembly 16 to accommodate variations in the surface being cleared of snow.

When snow plow assembly 16 is in its raised position (FIGS. 2 and 6B), mounting arms 26 are oriented generally vertically, with snow plow blades 22 and central blade 24 positioned substantially directly above housing 14. Snow plow assembly 16 may be retained in its raised position by substantially any desired method or device such as, for example, retaining straps, a releasable ratcheting mechanism in the pivotal coupling of mounting arms 26, magnetic fasteners, or the like. With snow plow assembly 16 in its raised position, snow discharge portion 20 of snow blower mechanism 12 extends above snow plow blades 22 so that the blades do not interfere with the discharge of snow through the snow discharge portion 20 during operation of the apparatus in the snow blowing configuration of FIGS. 2 and 6B. Snow plow assembly 16 is typically raised and lowered between its respective undeployed and deployed positions with each snow plow blade 22 in its respective laterally-retracted position, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 6B. However, it will be appreciated that snow plow assembly 16 may be raised and lowered with snow plow blades 22 in their respective laterally-extended positions, such as if an operator wishes to briefly use the combination snow blower and plow apparatus 10 in a snow blowing configuration, and the increased width of the extended snow plow blades 22 does not create clearance problems during operation of the snow blower.

Numerous options or alternatives are envisioned for the combination snow blower and plow apparatus, which would provide substantially similar overall functionality, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, it is envisioned that instead of pivotable mounting arms 26, the snow plow blades may be mounted to the snow blower housing via an articulating linkage, mechanism, or the like, which could be attached to the housing 14 along side walls 28 or along an upper surface of the housing, for example. In addition, gas-charged struts or other biasing members may be used to help raise the snow plow assembly from its deployed position to its undeployed position and/or to retain the snow plow assembly in its undeployed position without requiring the use of separate mechanical fasteners. In addition, the support struts that support each snow plow blade in its laterally-extended position may be one-piece struts that are readily connectable and releasable via quick-connect couplers or the like. Other types of support struts that may be suitable for use with the snow plow assembly of the present invention are described in commonly-owned and co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/428,295, filed Mar. 23, 2012, and entitled COMBINATION SNOW BLOWER AND PLOW, AND RETROFIT KIT, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Moreover, it is envisioned that each snow plow blade of the plow assembly may engage and be supported by the central mounting portion or blade of the snow plow assembly via roller bearings, channel slides, or substantially any other mechanism or device suitable for coupling the snow blow blades in a laterally-extendable manner. One example of such an arrangement will be described below in more detail, with reference to an alternative combination snow blower and plow apparatus 110 of FIGS. 8-9B. Optionally, the snow plow blades may be fitted with resilient scraper blades that form a bottom edge of each blade, for engaging a surface being cleared of snow, such as shown and described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/428,295, which is incorporated by reference hereinabove. It is further envisioned that each movable snow plow blade could be mounted to the central mounting portion in a manner that is structurally sufficiently strong so that support struts are not required and the blades are substantially cantilevered from the central blade when the blades are laterally extended therefrom.

The combination snow blower and plow apparatus 10 may be pushed or pulled along a surface to be cleared of snow by a tractor 66 (FIG. 7), which couples to the rear of the apparatus 10. Typically, tractor 66 will have a power take-off (PTO) at its front end for rotatably driving intake auger 30 (and a discharge fan) of snow blower mechanism 12. However, it will be appreciated that the combination snow blower and plow apparatus 10 may be coupled to a tractor or similar machine having other types of PTO's, such as a pulley and belt drive. In addition, the combination snow blower and plow may be coupled to and used with other machines or tractors that lack a PTO, and thus may be used only in a pure plowing configuration, if desired. It will be further appreciated that tractor 66 represents substantially any self-propelled vehicle or engine or motor-driven machine capable of pushing or pulling the apparatus 10, including a lawn tractor, farm tractor, truck, or the like, including an engine or motor-driven self-propelled machine that is integrated with (i.e., is non-separable from) combination snow blower and plow apparatus 10.

Optionally, and with reference to FIGS. 8-9B, another combination snow blower and plow apparatus 110 includes a snow blower mechanism 112 with a housing 114 to which a snow plow assembly 116 is movably attached. Many of the components of combination snow blower and plow apparatus 110 are substantially identical or similar to corresponding components of the above-described apparatus 10, such that comparable components of apparatus 110 are given like numerals by the addition of 100, and the correspondingly-numbered components may be understood with reference to their counterparts in the above discussion of apparatus 10. For example, combination snow blower and plow 110 includes an inlet or intake portion 118 and a discharge portion 120, which correspond to inlet 18 and discharge portion 20, respectively, of combination snow blower and plow apparatus 10.

Snow plow assembly 116 includes a pair of snow plow blades 122 that are each laterally slidable relative to a central mounting portion or frame or blade 124, which in turn is mounted to a pair of pivotable mounting arms 126, which are pivotably coupled to respective side walls 128 of snow blower housing 114. Central mounting frame 124 includes an upper channel 132 a and a lower channel 132 b that form the upper and lower edge portions of the central mounting frame 124. Each snow plow blade 122 includes an upper edge portion 134 a and a lower edge portion 134 b that are slidably received in the upper channel 132 a and lower channel 132 b, respectively, of central mounting frame 124.

Central mounting frame 124 defines a large central opening 136 that is generally rectangular in shape, and that is open when one or both snow plow blades 122 are in their respective laterally-extended positions, such as shown in FIG. 8. When snow plow blades 122 are open, central opening 136 is defined between the respective inboard regions 122 a of the snow plow blades 122, and between upper and lower channels 132 a, 132 b. Although it is envisioned that lower channel 132 b will continuously or intermittently engage a surface being cleared of snow as apparatus 110 is moved along the surface, it will be appreciated that lower channel 132 b is sufficiently low in profile that a substantial portion of snow encountered by the lower channel 132 b (as central mounting frame 124 is moved forwardly through an accumulation of snow) will spill over the top of the lower channel 132 b and through central opening 136, so that this snow will be drawn into snow inlet portion 118 and discharged through snow discharge portion 120. At the same time, snow plow blades 122 will engage and push respective accumulations of snow ahead of the blades, at least some of which will typically spill around the inboard blade regions 122 a and through central opening 136 in central mounting frame 124.

Snow plow assembly 116 includes a pair of adjustable-length support struts 150, which are similar in construction to support struts 50, described above, including respective lock pins 152 for fixing the length of each support strut in its extended position. However, support strut 150 is coupled between a proximal end portion 126 a of each mounting arm 126 and an outboard region 122 b of each snow plow blade 122 in a slightly different manner. Each snow plow blade 122 includes, at its outboard region 122 b, a rearwardly-directed flange or lip 168 to which is mounted a pair of spaced tabs 154 that receive a forward end of the forward tubular portion 150 b of support strut 150, with a fastener 156 extending through aligned holes or openings formed in spaced tabs 154 and in the end of forward tubular portion 150 b. At the proximal end portion 126 a of each mounting arm 126 is a separate tab 170 that receives and supports a bend region 158 of the rear shaft 150 a of support strut 150. Rear shaft 150 a includes a plurality aligned cross-bores 172 for receiving lock pin 152, which permits adjustment of the minimum achievable overall length of support strut 150 according to the desired lateral extension distance of snow plow blade 122. Flange 168 prevents each snow plow blade 122 from being laterally retracted so far that it would cover more than half of central opening 136.

Thus, snow plow blades 122 may be laterally extended and retracted, such as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9A, respectively, in a substantially similar manner as described above with respect to snow plow blades 22 of apparatus 10. In addition, snow plow assembly 116 is pivotable between its lowered or deployed configuration of FIG. 9A, and its raised or undeployed configuration of FIG. 9B. This permits the use of combination snow blower and plow apparatus 110 in a pure snow plowing configuration for narrower paths (FIG. 9A), a pure snow blowing configuration (FIG. 9B), and a combination snow plowing and snow blowing configuration for clearing an extra-wide path (FIG. 8).

Thus, the combination snow blower and plow apparatuses of the present invention can be used to push or pile snow from a surface on which the snow has accumulated, and may be reconfigured to clear an extra-wide path while pushing and/or discharging snow as the apparatus is moved through an accumulation. The apparatus can be operated as conventional or standard-width snow blowers by positioning the snow plow assembly in a raised or undeployed position, and depending on the embodiment, may be used for clearing an extra-wide path by purely plowing the path, or by plowing an outboard portion of the path while snow-blowing a central portion of the path. It is further envisioned that the snow plow assemblies of the present invention may be provided as a retrofit kit for attachment to existing snow blowers or snow blower mechanisms.

Changes and modifications in the specifically described embodiments can be carried out without departing from the principles of the present invention, which is intended to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims, as interpreted according to the principles of patent law, including the doctrine of equivalents. 

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property is claimed are defined as follows:
 1. A combination snow blower and plow apparatus comprising: a snow blower mechanism having a housing with opposite sides and defining a snow inlet portion between said opposite sides, said snow blower mechanism further having a snow discharge portion in communication with said snow inlet portion; a snow plow assembly movably coupled to said housing, said snow plow assembly being movable, relative to said housing, between a deployed position for engaging an accumulation of snow along a surface as said apparatus is driven along the surface, and an undeployed position for substantially disengaging the accumulation of snow; said snow plow assembly comprising: a mounting portion that is movably coupled to said housing; and at least one snow plow blade movably coupled to said mounting portion and configured to move, relative to said mounting portion, between a laterally-extended position that provides an increased snow-clearing width, and a laterally-retracted position that provides a decreased snow-clearing width which is less than said increased snow-clearing width; wherein when said snow plow assembly is in the deployed position, said snow plow blade is positioned in front of said housing, and when said snow plow assembly is in the undeployed position, said snow plow blade is positioned above at least a portion of said housing.
 2. The snow blower and plow apparatus of claim 1, wherein said snow plow assembly further comprises a mounting arm pivotally coupled to each of said opposite sides of said housing, and wherein said mounting portion of said snow plow assembly is coupled to said housing via said mounting arms.
 3. The snow blower and plow apparatus of claim 1, wherein when said snow plow assembly is in said undeployed position, at least a portion of said mounting portion and at least a portion of said snow plow blade are positioned directly above said housing.
 4. The snow blower and plow apparatus of claim 1, wherein said snow plow assembly further comprises a support strut coupled between said housing and said snow plow blade, said support strut configured to support said snow plow blade in at least said laterally-extended position.
 5. The snow blower and plow apparatus of claim 1, wherein said mounting portion of said snow plow assembly comprises a central blade configured for clearing an accumulation of snow from the surface.
 6. The snow blower and plow apparatus of claim 5, wherein said snow plow assembly includes a pair of said snow plow blades movably coupled to said central blade.
 7. The snow blower and plow apparatus of claim 6, wherein said snow plow assembly further comprises: a pair of elongate slots defined along said central blade, said elongate slots configured for movably mounting respective ones of said snow plow blades to said central blade; an attachment fitting along an inboard region of each snow plow blade, each of said attachment fittings configured to slidably engage a respective one of said elongate slots of said central blade as said snow plow blades are moved between said laterally-extended position and said laterally-retracted position.
 8. The snow blower and plow apparatus of claim 7, wherein each of said attachment fittings comprises a shaft portion and a flange portion, said shaft portion projecting rearwardly from said snow plow blade and extending through one of said elongate slots, said flange portion positioned along said shaft portion at a location rearward of said central blade, and said flange portion having a width that is greater than a width of said elongate slot.
 9. The snow blower and plow apparatus of claim 8, wherein said snow plow assembly further comprises a support strut coupled between said housing and each of said snow plow blades, said support struts configured to support said snow plow blades in at least said laterally-extended positions.
 10. The snow blower and plow apparatus of claim 9, wherein said support struts comprise an adjustable-length struts that are reconfigurable between an extended configuration when said snow plow blades are in said laterally-extended positions, and a retracted configuration when said snow plow blades are in said laterally-retracted positions.
 11. The snow blower and plow apparatus of claim 1, wherein said mounting portion of said snow plow assembly comprises a frame configured for slidably supporting said snow plow blade, said frame defining an opening when said snow plow blade is in the laterally-extended position, said opening configured to permit at least a portion of the accumulation of snow to pass into said snow inlet portion of said snow blower mechanism for subsequent discharge through said snow discharge portion as said apparatus is moved along the surface.
 12. The snow blower and plow apparatus of claim 11, wherein said snow plow assembly includes a pair of said snow plow blades movably coupled to said frame.
 13. The snow blower and plow apparatus of claim 12, wherein said frame defines upper and lower channels for slidably receiving an upper edge portion and lower edge portion, respectively, of each of said snow plow blades.
 14. The snow blower and plow apparatus of claim 13, wherein said snow plow assembly further comprises a support strut coupled between said housing and each of said snow plow blades, said support struts configured to support said snow plow blades in at least said laterally-extended positions.
 15. A combination snow blower and plow apparatus comprising: a snow blower mechanism having a housing with opposite sides and defining a snow inlet portion between said opposite sides, said snow blower mechanism further having a snow discharge portion in communication with said snow inlet portion; a snow plow assembly movably coupled to said housing, said snow plow assembly being pivotable between a deployed position in front of said snow blower mechanism, and an undeployed position in which a portion of said snow plow assembly is positioned above said housing of said snow blower mechanism; said snow plow assembly comprising: a pair of mounting arms, each having a proximal end portion that is pivotally coupled to one of said opposite sides of said housing; a mounting portion coupled to said housing via said mounting aims; and a pair of snow plow blades coupled to said mounting portion and configured for sliding movement to a laterally-extended position that provides an increased snow-clearing width in which each of said snow plow blades extends laterally outboard of a respective one of said opposite sides of said snow blower housing; wherein when said snow plow assembly is in the undeployed position, said snow blower mechanism is operable to clear an accumulation of snow from a surface as said apparatus is driven along the surface, and when said snow plow assembly is in the deployed position with said snow plow blades in their laterally-extended positions, said apparatus is operable to provide said increased snow-clearing width in an increased clearing-width configuration chosen from: (i) a pure plowing configuration in which said mounting portion and said snow plow blades cooperate to clear the accumulation of snow, substantially without the snow reaching said inlet portion of said snow blower housing; and (ii) a combined snow plowing and snow blowing configuration in which said snow plow blades engage a portion of the accumulation of snow and said mounting portion permits another portion of the accumulation of snow to pass into said snow inlet portion of said snow blower housing.
 16. The snow blower and plow apparatus of claim 15, wherein when said snow plow assembly is in the deployed position with said snow plow blades each in a laterally-retracted position, said apparatus is operable in a pure plowing configuration to provide a decreased snow-clearing width which is less than said increased snow-clearing width.
 17. The snow blower and plow apparatus of claim 16, wherein said snow plow assembly further comprises a support strut coupled between a proximal end portion of each of said mounting arms and a respective one of said snow plow blades, wherein said support struts are configured to support said snow plow blades in at least said laterally-extended positions.
 18. The snow blower and plow apparatus of claim 17, wherein said support struts comprise an adjustable-length struts that are reconfigurable between an extended configuration when said snow plow blades are in said laterally-extended positions, and a retracted configuration when said snow plow blades are in said laterally-retracted positions.
 19. The snow blower and plow apparatus of claim 15, further comprising a mounting arm stop at each of said opposite sides of said snow blower housing, said mounting arm stops configured to be engaged by said mounting arms when said snow blower mechanism is lifted above the surface, whereby said snow plow assembly is also liftable above the surface upon lifting said snow blower mechanism further above the surface with said mounting arm stops engaged by said mounting arms.
 20. The snow blower and plow apparatus of claim 15, further in combination with a tractor configured to drive said apparatus through the accumulation of snow, and configured to power said snow blower mechanism for discharging snow through said snow discharge portion. 